Trailer guide



Sept. 7, 1937.

A. D. STIDHAM 2,092,683

TRAILER GUIDE Filed ApIfil 28, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 filler; Sfz'dfiam GUM;

Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,092,683 TRAILER GUIDE Albert D. Stidham, Chandler, Arlz. Application April 23, 1937, Serial No. 139,615 2 Claims. (Cl. 280-3355) This invention relates to a guide for trailers enabling a trailer to be hitched to a propelling or draft vehicle in a manner to steer automatically through movement of the draft vehicle and a connection which makes backing practical.

More specifically it is aimed to provide a construction which will keep the front wheels in perfect line with the rear wheels of the towing or draft vehicle, to steer theformer, in a manner so that the trailer cannot whip, wabble or shimmy. In addition, thetrailer cannot jackknife, which is caused by the action of the two pivots now used. A particular object of the present improvement is to provide a guide having but a single pivot at the connection of the guide to the draft or towing vehicle.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawingsz- Figure 1 is a. plan view showing my improvements in connection with a draft and trailing vehicle, both being shown fragmentarily;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the guide, detached, and in the position assumed when the vehicles are turning;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, l0 designates a draft vehicle which may be an automobile, truck or the like and II designates a trailer which'may be an automobile or any two or four wheeled vehicle or conveyance. I

The trailer is shown as having a front axle i2 in which mountings l3 for front or steering wheels I4, are journaled on vertical axes l5. Rearwardly extending arms It on the mountings l3 are pivotally connected to a cross rod II at the ends l8, and a steeringrod I9 is connected to the rod H at 20 preferably by means of a ball and socket joint. A triangular frame 2| is fastened to the axle l2 as by means of bolts 22 passed through lugs 23 on the frame 2| and lugs 24 on a bar 25 bolted at 26 to the axle. Bar 25 is in the nature of a clamping member and a clamping member 21 is disposed on the other side of the axle and the bolts 28 also pass through it.

A triangular lever 28 is pivoted by means of a bolt 29 to the horizontal arm 30 of the frame 2| and it is also pivoted by a bolt iii to the steering rod i9.

Parallel arms or cables 33 are adiustably secured in openings 34 of the lever and by means of bolts 35, they are adjustably secured in openings 36 of a draw-bar 31 pivoted by means of a bolt 38 to the forward end of frame 2|. Said lever at opposite ends has forward extensions which are bolted at 39 to a bracket or other part 40, connected to the draft vehicle I0.

32 by means of bolts spondingly move the,lever 31 as suggested in Figure 2, causing the parallel rods 32 to correvention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. A guide of the class described comprising a frame having a rear arm and arms extending forwardly therefrom to each other, a lever pivbar, a draw-bar pivoted to the frame adjacent the Junction of the second mentioned arms and attachable to a draft vehicle, parallel members connected to the draw bar and lever on opposite sides of their axes, said draw bar and lever having series of openings therein and said members being selectively attachable in said openings according to the adiustment desired.

ALBERT D. STIDHAM. 1 

